Centrifugal switch



Noy. 16, 1926. 1,607,333

L. E. ALING CENTRIFUGAL SWITCH Filed Dec. 1, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY WITNESS:

Nov. 16 1926.

1 1924 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY WITNESS:

Patented Nov. 16, 1926.

PATENT OFFICE-- LEE E. ALING, 0F SUGARCREEK, OHIO.

CENTRIFUGAL SWITCH.

Application filed December 1, 1924. Serial No. 758,359.

This invention relates to automobile signals, and more particularly to an electric signal, adapted to be automatically operated at different speeds of the machine.

In carrying out the invention, it is my purpose to utilize the governor associated with the speedometer shaft, the governor having associated therewith a movable contact designed to cooperate with fixed contacts when the vehicle is travelling at (litterent predetermined speeds, and thus call into use one or the'other of a pair of signals, one constituting a-Slow signal and theother a Stop signal.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understood when the following detailed description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings, the invention residing in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this application, like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, and wherein: a

Figure 1 is a view partly in sectionshowing the position of the movable contact when it is used in conjunction with one of the fixed contacts to operate one of the signals.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3+3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view.

Figure 7 is a'view in elevation. of the signals proper.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 10

and 11 represent slow and stop signals,

which are adapted to be arranged on some appropriate part of the automobile, and electrically operated as the occasion requires. These signals may be two separate and distinct signals although the signals are preferably constructed as shown in Figure 7 wherein use is made of a single casing divided by a partition 12 into'upper and lower compartments, each of which being adapted to be provided with an electric light bulb. The end wall of the casing is provided with the word Slow above the partition 12, while the same wall is provided with the word Stop beneath the partition 12, so that either compartment can be selectively illuminated, to call into use either of the" signals mentioned.

As above stated, these signals are adapted to be automatically operated at different predetermined speeds of the vehicle, and for this purpose, I employ a governor indicated at 13, and which governor is mounted upon an appropriate part of the shaft 14 which connects the speedometer with the running gear of the vehicle in the usual manner. This governor is arranged to operate in a suitable casing 15 which is also adapted to be mounted on some appropriate part of the vehicle, and in which casing is arranged spaced pairs of fixed contacts, one pair being used with each of the signals above referredto. This structure is more clearly illustratedin Figure 6, wherein it will be noted that the fixed contacts 16 of one pair are connected in circuit with the bulb 17 of the slow signal,

while the fixed contacts 18 of the other pair are connected in circuit with the bulb 19 of carries a pair of movable contacts 23 and 24 respectively, the former ,being arranged up on the arm to cooperate with the fixed contact 16, while the latter is mounted upon the arm to cooperate with the fixed contacts approximately eighteen miles or better, the

governor 13 holds the arm 20 spaced above both pairs of fixed contacts, and consequently neither of the signals can be operated. But, just as soon as the speed of the machine is reduced to approximately twelve or fifteen miles an hour, the governor 13 lowers the arm 20 on the shaft 14 to a position where the contacts 23 carried by said arm engages the fixed [contacts 16, thereby automatically operating the slow signal 10. \Vhen the speed of the machine is further reduced, say to approximately eight miles or ten miles an hour, the arm 20 is further lowered upon the shaft 14 to a position wherein the contact 24: is brought into engagement with the fixed contacts 18, thus operating the stop signal 11. During this movement of the arm 20, the contact 23 is moved downwardly between the contacts 16 to a position Where it is free of said contacts, so that the slow signal 10 is extinguished or rendered inoperative about the same time that the stop signal is called into use in the manner above described.

Whileit is believed that from the foregoing description, the nature and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent, I desire to have it understood that I do not limit myself to what is herein shown and described, and thatvsuch changes may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

Having thus described the invention, I

claim:

In a circuit closer, a casing, a shaft journaled therein,a pair of spaced parallel fixed contacts rising from the bot-tom of the casing at each side of the shaft, one pair of contacts being longer than the other pair, a pair of spaced parallel guides rising from the bottom of the casing in juxtaposition with each pair of said contacts, and extending an appreciable distance above the latter, a governor arranged on the shaft, a collar slidably mounted thereon, a contact arm carried by the collar and arranged to slide between both pairs of guides and prevent casual rotation of said contact arm, and said arm having intermediate portions adapted to be moved into engagement with one or the other pair of fixed contacts at diflerent predetermined speeds of the shaft,-the free ends of each pair of fixed contacts being offset toward each other to engage said arm, and having their body portions spaced apart a distance greater than the width of said arm, whereby" the spaced pairs of fixed contacts are used singly with said arm.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

LEE E. ALING. c 

